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enEating dollar a day meals this Ramadanhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/eating-dollar-a-day-meals-this-ramadan
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<a href="/authors/abdul-malik-mujahid" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Abdul Malik Mujahid</a> </div>
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<p>Over one billion people worldwide live on $1 a day. And that includes everything not just food.</p>
<p>To put it in practical Ramadan terms, there are Muslims around the world who survive on an Iftar and Suhoor meals that are simple, inexpensive, and limited.</p>
<p>Those of us blessed to enjoy a table full of a variety of foods when we break our fasts perhaps don’t consider this. Maybe we feel entitled to eat our fill. But for many, this is clearly not an option.</p>
<p>A good number of them are probably Muslim Americans. I heard Dr. Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo's Chief Scientific Officer, say that while there is so much hunger in the world, 20 percent of the world population is&nbsp;obese. In the United States, the statistics say that we have 40,000,000 obese people. (I intentionally spelled out the 40 million so it does look as big as it is.)</p>
<p>This Ramadan I invite you to take the dollar a day Ramadan challenge. I have done it for the last couple of years and count it as a true blessing of Ramadan. The idea is simple. You reduce the food and drink consumption at Suhoor and Iftar times to one dollar.</p>
<p>Trust me, it’s not a big deal. If you can do it as a family whatever you can save can go to fight hunger in your neighborhood and across the world.</p>
<p>If you cannot commit to a month try it for a week or at least a weekend during this blessed month. Remember that this is a time in which we are expected to experience hunger, give charity so that we are grateful to God, and have better character, key goals of Ramadan.</p>
<p>I found it was not hard at all. It is not a starvation diet. There is a plenty you can eat within a dollar a day fast. I did not lose more than ten pounds during the month.</p>
<p>Ramadan, in which we are supposed to experience hunger to achieve a better connection with God’s Creation and with the Creator Himself, somehow has become a marathon feast. It is self-defeating. Those who cook are overburdened and do not have enough energy left for extra worship recommended for Ramadan. There is no Hadith about feasting at Iftar. There is no Sunnah of food celebrations and special cooking at Iftar throughout the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions. May Allah be pleased with all of them. The feast actually is supposed to be Eid at the end of Ramadan not at the end of each day of fasting.</p>
<p>The Prophet, who encouraged us to fill only one-third of our stomachs even on normal days, ate far less in Ramadan.</p>
<p>Do a family Shura (consultation) before Ramadan and develop a menu of simplicity. Reduce the burden of cooking and divide it up across all family members.</p>
<h2><strong>Suhoor Options</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>I have eaten quarter to half a flat bread…
<ul>
<li>with a couple of dates and water and felt it was good enough</li>
<li>or dipped the bread in leftover curry from the night before</li>
<li>once in a while I have take half a bread with a fried egg</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>I have eaten half a cup of oatmeal…
<ul>
<li>prepared with a little milk</li>
<li>or prepared it with water on which I poured some left over curry</li>
<li>or some fruit like an orange or an apple</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>I have eaten a small portion of anything left over from the previous night</li>
<li>&nbsp;At times I have just taken one banana just taken one banana</li>
</ul>
<p>All of the above, if done at home, is around half a dollar. If I was invited to an Iftar party, I would reduce my Suhoor to just one date and water so my Iftar could be little more.</p>
<p>Please don’t skip Suhoor. The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, asked us not to skip it. Eat just a little as he did and as simply as he did. Allahumma Salle Ala Muhammad.</p>
<h2><strong>Iftar Eating</strong></h2>
<p>Iftar is not supposed to be a feast. Don’t divide up Iftar into snack followed by an evening meal. Just stick to one eating session. If you prefer to pray as soon as the time comes, break your fast with one date or water only, and after prayer sit down for the rest.</p>
<p>&nbsp;It is important to achieve a variety while maintaining simplicity at the Iftar table. Try to limit it to just one main dish per evening. Or maybe just have a various snacks instead of a main dish once a week.</p>
<p>&nbsp;I have done the following for Iftar</p>
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;Just taking a tablespoon or two of whatever is being served</li>
<li>The more variety the less portion you take</li>
<li>If I have not taken a date in the morning, I will take one in the evening</li>
<li>I will take half to one piece of whole wheat flat bread or a couple of scoops of rice
<ul>
<li>with two tablespoons of any vegetable or curry on the table.</li>
<li>if there are more than two types of dishes on the table, I would just take one spoon each</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>For drinks, avoid those bottles. They break your dollar a day budget just by themselves. Maybe a small glass of milk, homemade lemonade or for Pakistanis who want to ardently maintain their Ramadan tradition, Rooh Afza&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Iftar party eating</strong></h2>
<p>Iftar parties have become an important part of Muslim culture, which unfortunately encourages the following</p>
<ul>
<li>Too much food</li>
<li>Too much preparation time</li>
<li>Insisting that guests eat more by almost harassing them</li>
<li>Overeating</li>
<li>Wastage of food since no food rescue programs are organized</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;The Prophet encouraged us to invite each other for Iftar and he was a generous man. He was not always poor. Initially he was married to the richest lady of Makkah and in the later part of his life, he had enough wealth to sacrifice as much as 70-plus camels during his last Hajj. But he chose to live simply and eat less.</p>
<p>&nbsp;An Iftar party must not defy the Prophet and the spirit of Ramadan.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Here is what I have done in Iftar parties to stick to my dollar a day diet:</p>
<ul>
<li>Be the last in the line to take food. It will allow more time to socialize without food. It would bring time for Isha closer so there will be no time left for the host to insist on seconds.</li>
<li>Take half of what you plan to eat. So when hosts insist on you taking more, you have room left for it.</li>
<li>Make Ramadan and fasting a topic of the table instead of the usual useless discussions. There is nothing wrong in discussing the Prophet’s lifestyle and simple eating habits. There is nothing wrong with talking about hunger and how 15 million Muslim refugees live.</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Eating less while traveling</strong></h2>
<p>Initially I found I had most difficulty eating under a dollar while traveling. You cannot demand at the Secretary of State’s Iftar dinner or some other important official evening to be served such a small amount of food. Nor can you easily find very low cost restaurants. So initially, I accepted eating as little as possible in these types of situations which resulted in me probably violating my dollar a day meal plans for about seven eight times a Ramadan.</p>
<p>&nbsp;However, I eventually found a very delicious solution. I started visiting local grocery stores while traveling to a city and buying a few items:</p>
<ul>
<li>Some bread</li>
<li>A small amount of grapes</li>
<li>or 50 cents worth of peanuts</li>
<li>or other fresh produce which would last me for a couple of days during the trip</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;I was surprised to see how much variety I was able to find to stick to my dollar a day Ramadan. Now when it is not Ramadan, I enjoy doing this. On a recent trip to Switzerland, that is all I did for three days and enjoyed every bit of it, or shall I say every bite of it.</p>
<h2><strong>Some More Tips</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;1. Skip the meat</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;Meat, in most cases, is more expensive than other foods. Cutting it out of a meal is a surefire way of cutting costs. Limiting meat consumption is also considered healthier. If you cannot completely eliminate it due to what is available on the dining table, just take a small piece or limit yourself to the gravy around the meat.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;2. Skip eating out or ready to eat meals</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;Hardly anything comes cheap in this category. So avoid it completely. It is not very healthy anyway.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;3. Eat more fruits and vegetables</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;These are not only necessary to maintain optimum health, they are also less expensive than meat and other processed or packaged foods. Although I rarely eat canned food, don’t shun frozen fruits and vegetables. These are often cheaper while retaining health and flavor. Look up this dollar a day healthy food guide by WebMD.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Eat beans and lentils</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;And here, you’ve got a great amount of variety. From the garbanzos familiar to lovers of Hummus to black eyed beans, you can experiment and find your favorite for a tasty, protein-rich, low-cost meal.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;5. Yummy yogurt</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;Yogurt is inexpensive but offers you great taste and calcium either by itself, as a spread or added to some fruit to make a smoothie. But buying ready-made yogurt could be costly. Try making your own.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;6. Water, water, water</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;The Prophet’s drink of choice when breaking his fast was water. Not even milk, which he loved. This is not only free, but it’s an alternative that replenishes what your body needs most to survive after a long day of fasting.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;7. Skip the Shawarma</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;…and opt for nuts of all kinds for your protein intake, as well as eggs every other Iftar.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;8. Add inexpensive pasta, rice, and/or noodles</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;This helps round out a meal and gives you some carbohydrates.</p>
<h3><strong>&nbsp;9. Make food from scratch</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;Processed foods, frozen dinners, and other convenience foods are costly and very often not healthy. Cooking from scratch does not have to be difficult or intimidating. It’s one of the best ways to save money and maintain your health.</p>
<h2><strong>Do it for the right reason</strong></h2>
<p>I was fasting with a dollar a day food very silently. But those close to me who knew about it encouraged me to share this with others.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Our intentions should be two-fold with the dollar a day Ramadan:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pleasing our Lord by following His Prophet’s path of sharing more and consuming less through simple living</li>
<li>Developing a higher level of connectedness with those more than a billion human beings who go to sleep hungry most nights.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;A conservative South Asian scholar, Ashraf Ali Thanvi, once said you must become a good human being before you can ever become a good Muslim.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;Ramadan can help us become better Muslims to fulfill the twin tests of faith given by God in the Quran. These require a better connection to service to God’s Creation and a better connection with the Creator through worship:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;Have you ever seen a human being who contradicts the essence of faith? That is the person who pushes the orphan aside and does not promote feeding the needy.<br />
<br />
Woe, then, unto those who pray, but their hearts and minds are remote from the essence of their prayers, those who want but to be seen and praised, whereas they refuse to help others who need help. (Meaning of the Quran 107:1-7)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;May Allah give us life to see Ramadan and use it as a month-long exercise in simple living, consuming less and sharing more as the Prophet did. Ameen.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Photo Attribution&nbsp; -&nbsp; epSos.de&nbsp; -&nbsp; http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Healthy_Red_Tomatoes_are_Wet_and_Organic.png</p>
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This Ramadan I invite you to take the dollar a day Ramadan challenge. </div>
Mon, 07 May 2018 11:46:01 +0000admin2286 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/eating-dollar-a-day-meals-this-ramadan#commentsIt is time to be organic and naturalhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/it-is-time-to-be-organic-and-natural
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<a href="/authors/sound-vision-staff-writer" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sound Vision Staff Writer</a> </div>
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<p>Before you feast on that carefully selected Halal burger from your local Muslim grocer, consider this disturbing statistic: 75 percent of Halal meat in America produced in the year 2000 came from pork fed cows, according to Dr. Stephen Emanuel, from Agway Feed Company.</p>
<p>The story gets even worse in light of the recent discovery of mad cow disease. The first case ever in America was discovered in Washington state in December 2003. Mad cow disease in animals is caused by animal cannibalism- the practice of feeding animals used for human consumption with other animals. This practice is a meat industry standard.</p>
<p>The truth is that beef, as well as all other animal products, including chicken, dairy, and eggs, are not safe, even without the risk of mad cow disease. Most are jam-packed with fat and cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. (Yes, chicken has nearly as much cholesterol as beef.) Loaded with too much protein, they raise the risk of kidney disease and osteoporosis. And given intensive farming and slaughtering processes, they're often contaminated with foodborne pathogens.</p>
<p>In the United States the cows are being fed pork based protein, like pork meat byproducts, pork bone meal, explains Mazhar Hussaini, president of the North American Halal Foundation. It is also the same with chicken.</p>
<p>Muslims are directed in the Quran to eat food that is Halal and Tayyib. Halal is defined as food that is permissible according to Islamic law. Tayyib means wholesome, pure, nutritious and safe. Traditionally, Muslims in North America have emphasized the Halal over the Tayyib when it comes to meat consumption, Hussaini says.</p>
<p>For instance, great emphasis is placed on ensuring that animals slaughtered for consumption are done so in the Islamic manner (the practice known as Zabiha). However, little to no attention is given to whether or not the animal itself is healthy, free of disease, hormones, antibiotics, and chemicals at the time of slaughter. Also, what kind of food it consumes is not taken into consideration, despite the fact that herbivorous animals only are permissible to eat.</p>
<p>Moreover, price is a major consideration for Muslims, at the expense of meat quality.</p>
<p>My experience is that Muslims are willing to pay for Nike shoes for $150 but when it comes to meat to feed their family, they will bargain on pennies, says Adnan Aldayel, president of Dakota Halal Inc. The company produces Halal meat products which are raised on vegetarian diet distributed primarily on the East and West Coast.</p>
<p>Organic meat is one option for Muslims insistent on feeding their families Halal and Tayyib food.</p>
<p>Organic meat is produced with animals raised on land free of pesticides, fertilizers, genetically engineered or irradiated foods. Farmers keep a detailed record of all methods and materials used in growing or producing the meat. With cows, all feed and pasture on which they are grazed must be organic. They are also not allowed hormones or antibiotics. However, they can be vaccinated. Animals are considered organic after three months of being raised on an organic farm.</p>
<p>Thirty-nine percent of the US population uses organic products.&nbsp; Sales of organic food totaled $5.4 billion in 1998, about $6.5 billion in 1999, and reached nearly $7.8 billion in 2000. The market has grown 20%-24% annually during the 1990s</p>
<p>Although organic foods account for less than one percent of total retail food sales, this sector is growing faster than any other area of the food industry. Since 1992, sales of organic foods have increased by more than 20 percent annually with continued strong growth expected for at least the next decade.</p>
<p>But according to Hussaini, organic is not the only choice Muslims have if they want to maintain a diet free of Haram and hormones. Meat produced on natural farms is another option.</p>
<p>Natural beef is produced from animals not fed any meat-based proteins, hormones or preservatives. Animals are fed grass, hay, corn, beans and oats. Natural farmers do however use antibiotics and different kinds of medicine if an animal is sick. However, they will wait 30 days after administering antibiotics or medicine to slaughter the animal. This is done to make sure the effects of the antibiotics are no longer in the animal's system. An animal is considered natural after living three months on a natural farm.</p>
<p>At the moment there are few Halal meat producers who choose animals for their products that are strictly fed non-animal feed. Aldayel's Dakota Halal, <a href="crescenthalal.com">CrescentHalal.com</a> (hand slaughter) and the Ohio-based Halal Pride Chicken (machine slaughter) are three that have taken steps towards the Tayyib, not just Halal.</p>
<p>An additional problem, according to Aldayel, is that most owners of Halal meat shops across the United States do not really care if the meat they are providing customers meets the best standards of Halal and Tayyib. In some cases, he says, grocers have bought non-Zabiha meat and sold it to unsuspecting customers as Halal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>"UCSC farm rows" by david silver - originally posted to Flickr as UCSC farm rows. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UCSC_farm_rows.jpg#mediaviewer/File:UCSC_farm_rows.jpg</p>
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it is time to be organic and natural facing the madcow disease </div>
Sun, 04 Mar 2018 03:09:00 +0000admin1463 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/it-is-time-to-be-organic-and-natural#commentsPhysical Diseases of the Heart and the Prophetic Preventionhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/physical-diseases-of-the-heart-and-the-prophetic-prevention
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<a href="/authors/dr-gohar-mushtaq" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dr. Gohar Mushtaq</a> </div>
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<p>Among the physical diseases of the heart, the major one is coronary heart disease. This occurs when the arteries that supply the heart with blood and oxygen become narrowed because of deposits of cholesterol on the artery walls. If not enough oxygenated blood can reach the heart then an angina attack results. In more severe cases,' if the supply of blood is completely cut off from a portion of the heart, a heart attack will result. Coronary heart disease is one of the major causes of death in the Western world.</p>
<p>According to statistics, about one million people in the US (1) and 110,000 people in the UK (2) die each year from coronary heart disease. Although modern medicines and heart surgery can treat coronary heart disease, the best course of action is prevention through lifestyle changes.</p>
<p>The vast majority of diseases are related to our diet and the Islamic lifestyle as prescribed by Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is an ideal course of prevention for many diseases, including those of the heart. The Prophet disliked excessive eating. He lived with a flat belly and he died with a flat belly. He is reported to have said:</p>
<p>"No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels are enough for the son of Adam (human being) to keep his back upright. But if he must eat more, then he should fill one-third of his stomach with food, one-third with drink and leave one third-empty for the air (for easy breathing)" (At-Tirmidhi).</p>
<p>It is important to exercise moderation in our eating habits. Limiting the consumption of food results in a tender heart, a strong intellect, a humble self and it weakens desires. Excessive eating brings about the opposite of these praiseworthy qualities. Ibrahim ibn Adham said:</p>
<p>"Anyone who controls his stomach is in control of his Deen, and anyone who controls his hunger is in control of good behaviour. Disobedience towards Allah is nearest to a person who is satiated with a full stomach, and furthest away from a person who is hungry"(3).</p>
<p>Two of the most important aspects of Islam are Salah and Dhikr and these are equally important as part of a healthy lifestyle as the Prophet advised:</p>
<p>"Dissolve and digest your food through the process of remembrance of Allah and offering of prayers" (Abu Nuaym).</p>
<p>It is for this reason that the five obligatory prayers are arranged as they are. Traditionally, the Dhuhr and Isha prayers are offered after a meal and these are longer, allowing us to gently exercise the body and prevent us from sleeping immediately after meals. The wisdom behind this was explained by the Prophet:</p>
<p>"Do not go to bed immediately after the meals; it will harden your heart. Avoid any hard or large quantum of exercise immediately after meals; it will also cause damage" (Abu Nuaym).</p>
<p>The quality of the food we eat affects both our physical and spiritual health. It is important to eat pure food that has been obtained using Halal income.</p>
<p>In Surah Al-Kahf, when the Sleepers of the Cave awoke after their long sleep and sent one of their number to the nearby town market to buy some food, they advised him to get food which they described as 'Azka ta'aman' (pure food). These pious young men realised the importance of eating pure food in order to maintain a pure heart (4).</p>
<p>Part of the reason that the hearts of Muslims are destroyed is because we are no longer careful about choosing food that is pure. Instead of eating homemade food filled with barakah, we prefer fast food, which in the words of Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, is "made with haste and waste, two attributes of the devil" (5).</p>
<p>It is important for us to be conscious of the purity of the food we are eating for the sake of the physical and spiritual health of our hearts.</p>
<p><em>Excerpted from Dr. Gohar Mushtaq's book "The Intelligent Heart, the Pure Heart: An Insight into the Heart based on the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science", published by Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd., UK (p. 40-42).</em></p>
<p>----------</p>
<p>1.Athar, Shahid, M.D. (1995). Health Concerns for Believers: Contemporary Issues. Chicago, Kazi Publications, Inc.<br />
2. Department of Health, UK<br />
3. Ghazali, Imam Abu Hamid (1978). Ihy. U/um ud Din. Karachi, Oarul Isha'at Publishers.<br />
4. A group of five to seven pious young men who had fled the persecution of a tytant ruler and hid in a cave and Allah put them to sleep for about 300 years.<br />
5. Yusuf, Harnza (2001). Agenda to Change Our Condition. Hayward, Zaytuna Institute.</p>
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The vast majority of diseases are related to our diet and the Islamic lifestyle as prescribed by Prophet Muhammad is an ideal course of prevention. </div>
Thu, 01 Mar 2018 23:22:32 +0000taha2833 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/physical-diseases-of-the-heart-and-the-prophetic-prevention#commentsRamadan: A Meal for Your Brainhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/ramadan-a-meal-for-your-brain
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<a href="/authors/taufik-ali-valiante-md-phd-frcs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Taufik Ali Valiante MD PhD FRCS</a> </div>
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<p>Your brain is who you are. A constellation of past experiences, hopes, dreams, and knowledge, receiving input from the outside world through your senses, and simultaneously changing that very world through your interactions. It is thus shaped by, but yet shapes the world around it. It is constantly changing with every second, as every experience you have alters its physical and chemical structure. It is as mysterious to the neuroscientist as to average individual. Scientists refer to it as the most complex thing in the universe, thus currently defying definition, and a scientific language to describe what it does.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That being said, we do however know a few things about its physical attributes. It is jam-packed, containing about 70 billion neurons and over 200 trillion connections between them. It is the most metabolically active (requiring the most energy per unit weight) organ in the body. Thus, while weighing little over 1300 grams – just a fraction of the weight of the human body - it gets 20 to 30 percent of the heart’s output every second.</p>
<p>It sits within the protective confines of your skull, and is bathed in a fluid that reduces its effective weight to about 50 grams. This further protects it from rapid movements which would otherwise tear it or bruise it. It is mostly fat and water, and its language is electricity, sending information to and fro through small packets of electrical charges.</p>
<p>Amongst other nutrients, the brain needs glucose to function – yup, good old-fashioned sugar. It loves it, and it is no wonder we love to eat it. However, during prolonged starvation, and likely during some of the longer fasts this Ramadan, it can switch its metabolism to use the byproduct of fat breakdown called ketone bodies.&nbsp; In fact, for those of you who are physically active during Ramadan, you will likely be able to smell the ketones on your breath – it smells kind of like acetone.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ketones are produced by the liver when it runs out of glycogen - a type of storage form of sugar. So once the glycogen disappears, fat starts to be broken down and you get ketone bodies. Remarkably, the brain can completely switch from using glucose to using ketones after about three days of absolutely no glucose intake.</p>
<p>The fact that we replenish our glycogen every day during Ramadan (Suhoor and Iftar), is likely why our brains don’t fully switch to using ketone bodies, and hence why we might, in the middle of the day, find it a bit hard to concentrate. Although interestingly, as you might notice with the longer fasts this year, that is just a transient effect, likely because your brain starts to use the small amount of ketone bodies in your blood.</p>
<p>Ketone bodies have been shown to be of some benefit in two neurological disorders: epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. The so-called “ketogenic diet”, which is used in children, is a diet devoid of sugar and high in fat that forces the person to use ketone bodies as their primary energy source. It was proposed that the ketones might reduce the number of seizures by various mechanisms that I will not go into right now. Interestingly, in some of the studies, although the children’s seizures did not improve, their mental functioning did.&nbsp; It was suggested from these studies that the ketones provided increased energy supply to the brain thus improving its functioning.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Similarly, it has been shown that very early on in Alzheimer’s disease, the brain is unable to use glucose appropriately. However, giving ketones to these patients was shown to improve their memory particularly early on in their disease course. This is not to say that fasting might be a potential treatment for people with epilepsy or Alzheimer’s, but it is interesting to speculate about the potential “brain benefits” of fasting for those who do not have neurological disorders.&nbsp; One never knows!</p>
<p>The Quran is a guide for the human race, a guide that prescribes behaviors that, when followed, will benefit the individual and society as a whole. It is thus a manual for our brain.&nbsp; The manual prescribes fasting as way to increase our Taqwa (consciousness of Allah):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Oh you who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God: …” (Quran 2:183).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This simple command presents the ideal behavior modification paradigm, and the behavioral modification results in habit formation over an approximately 30-day course.&nbsp; The psychology of habits will not be reviewed here exhaustively, but amongst the benefits of habits is that they are mentally efficient. This means that one can do other things in parallel while performing the habit. I will argue that Ramadan presents the ideal “do-it-yourself habit guide” or “template” which we can use to effect change in all facets our lives, albeit with the help of Allah, as the Quran tells us:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Verily, God does not change people's condition unless they change their inner selves;…” (Quran 13:11).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>From the verse above, the first step however is ours. So, why is Ramadan the ideal template and training for the rest of our habit forming lives? From the literature on psychology, the key step to establishing a new habit is to create an <strong>implementation intention</strong>. I put in bold <strong>implementation intention</strong> since it is a key term - psychology jargon so to speak. So as you all know, you get up for Fajr, and explicitly state you are making your intention to Allah that you will fast. This is the <strong>implementation intention</strong> clear and simple, and who of all entities to make the intention to but Allah? It is kind of hard to break that intention - right?&nbsp; Right! So immediately Allah is helping us to help ourselves.</p>
<p>Other key elements to establishing a habit is that they have specific <strong>cues</strong> that link the habit to a specific <strong>response or responses</strong>.&nbsp; So for example, sunrise is a <strong>time cue</strong> that is linked to awakening, praying, and making your intention to fast. Sunset is a <strong>time cue</strong> to breaking one’s fast. In between, there are <strong>specific responses</strong> to the intention you made, no eating, drinking, or sex.</p>
<p>Concurrently, one is to be constantly mindful of one’s behavior, to be patient despite possibly being a bit cranky (one might be mentally fatigued as your brain may be a bit low on glucose -&nbsp; this is not an excuse, as you have to behave properly regardless), and to remain conscious of Allah. For those of you who have fasted during the long summer fasts, you know that when your mouth is super dry and you see a water fountain, it is impossible not to think of Allah!</p>
<p>So plain and simple, Ramadan is a template that all Muslim’s have the privilege to partake in early in their life, learn from, and then apply to other aspects of their behavior they wish to change. It is but one of the myriad of prescriptions in the Quran to train our brain and establish good habits.</p>
<p>Through the establishment of good habits (please see the Quran for an exhaustive list of good habits to implement), we increase our mental efficiency, ruminate less in uncertainty, and can thus spend more time applying ourselves to aiding those around us. So when you think of it, Ramadan is like a really healthy meal for your brain. A meal that contains all those yummy ketone bodies, habit forming skills, and opportunities to remember Allah. Insha Allah enjoy it, and all its benefits!</p>
<p><em>Dr. Taufik A. Valiante is a neurosurgeon at the Toronto Western Hospital. He is Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. He is the Director of the Surgical Epilepsy Program, and a neuroscientist studying brain function. You can follow him on Twitter (@DrValiante) for neuroscience related information.&nbsp;</em></p>
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Ramadan is like a really healthy meal for your brain. A meal that contains all those yummy ketone bodies and habit forming skills. </div>
Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:40:43 +0000taha2875 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/ramadan-a-meal-for-your-brain#commentsThe continuing saga of tainted meathttps://www.soundvision.com/article/the-continuing-saga-of-tainted-meat
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<a href="/article/the-continuing-saga-of-tainted-meat"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1458.gif?itok=8pDEmkwo" width="576" height="324" alt="The continuing saga of tainted meat" /></a> </div>
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<a href="/authors/samana-siddiqui" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Samana Siddiqui</a> </div>
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<p>BBC has confirmed about the UK market what <a href="http://www.nbcuniversalarchives.com/nbcuni/clip/5112989179_s24.do" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;" target="_blank">NBC had established</a> about the US market years ago: that ground beef contains pork and other meats etc. This once again raises concern for those Muslims who consume general market ground beef.</p>
<p>A few weeks ago, BBC reported that <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21034942" target="_blank">pork and horse meat was found in beef burgers</a> on sale in the U.K. and Ireland. A total of 27 products were analyzed, with 10 of them containing horse DNA and 23 containing pig DNA. Horsemeat accounted for approximately 29% of the meat content in one sample. As well, 31 beef meal products, including cottage pie, beef curry pie and lasagna, were studied, of which 21 tested positive for pig DNA.</p>
<p>This is not the first time we’ve discovered that mainstream meat is often mystery meat. In the United States, pork, <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/04/15/135435291/1-in-4-supermarket-meat-samples-tainted-with-drug-resistant-bacteria" target="_blank">drug resistant bacteria</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27774614/ns/health-health_care/t/tainted-meats-point-superbug-c-diff-food/#.uqwuyoato3w" target="_blank">C.Difficile</a>, and <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/70-percent-of-ground-beef-at-supermarkets-contains-pink-slime/" target="_blank">pink slime</a> have been found in supermarket beef. NBC Dateline, a few years ago, broadcasted their ten-city ground beef research. Although in the United States it is illegal to sell “mixed meats” as pure ground beef, the report found it still takes place.</p>
<p>In the Quran, the food we consume is discussed clearly and in detail. What we eat is not a minor issue, and meat is given specific attention.</p>
<p>“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than God; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, God is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 5:3).</p>
<p>Almost the entire Muslim world eats animals prepared according to Islamic rites. However, a minority of scholars in America <a href="http://www.soundvision.com/info/halalhealthy/maududi.asp" target="_blank">allow consumption</a> of what is often termed “supermarket meat”. One group argues that it falls under the category of the meat of the Jews and Christians, thus making it acceptable for Muslim consumption. Most other scholars, however, hold the view that all meat that Muslims consume must be slaughtered in a specific manner (the term for this process is called Dhabiha or Zabiha), and the name of Allah said at the time of slaughter. This is why they believe Muslims cannot eat meat from the corner grocery store.</p>
<p>The discussion, though, must also be considered in the context of God’s order to eat not only what is Halal but Tayyib as well. Tayyib is an Arabic word which means wholesome, pure, nutritious, and safe.</p>
<p>“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship” (2:172).</p>
<p>In our context though, Muslims should remember that the cost and convenience of supermarket meat usually does not outweigh the health and spiritual benefits of Zabiha meat. But the solution goes beyond buying meat at the local Halal grocery store. Halal meat stores may buy from the same sources as supermarkets, with the exception being that the animal is slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. This fulfills the obligation of the animal to be Halal, but it is far from Tayyib.</p>
<p>This is why the option of choosing organic, Halal meat slaughtered Islamically seems to be the best at this moment. Across the U.S., some Muslims have started offering this service, but the cost makes it difficult for many families to buy. It will take more Muslims putting their money where their meat is to lower costs for everyone in the long run.</p>
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in the quran, the food we consume is discussed clearly and in detail. what we eat is not a minor issue, and meat is given specific attention. </div>
Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:12:56 +0000admin1458 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/the-continuing-saga-of-tainted-meat#commentsThe Sharia of halal and healthyhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/the-sharia-of-halal-and-healthy
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<a href="/article/the-sharia-of-halal-and-healthy"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Halal_001b.jpg?itok=bgvPMlrV" width="576" height="324" alt="Afghan Kebab" /></a> </div>
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<a href="/authors/altaf-wafaqani" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Altaf Wafaqani</a> </div>
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<p>You’ve heard it before and you’ll continue to hear it: Islam is a complete way of life. It covers all aspects of living, ranging from standard faith practices like prayer and charity, to the mundane like dress, social etiquette, and food.</p>
<p>Food. Something we consider a personal choice, as well as one that affects our health so directly. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, once said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’i, Ibn Majah).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Today, countless sicknesses have been linked to what and how much we eat, ranging from cancer to heart disease to diabetes. While other factors like genetics do have a role, many sicknesses find a place in our body due to what we consume and the amount of it.</p>
<p>Although Islam offers us guidelines, it restricts only a few kinds of things when it comes to what we can eat.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of God has been invoked, and the strangled animal and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except the one you are able to slaughter before its death, and what is sacrificed on altars for idols and that you divide by the arrows; ... (Quran 5:3)”.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Alcohol is also forbidden for consumption.</p>
<p>The general rule is that Muslims can consume every thing else what is Halal (legally permissible) but also Tayyib (pure and good). If it is pure and good it would be consider healthy. This latter categorization is a crucial distinction, and one that we often tend to forget.</p>
<p>For example, most junk food would qualify as Halal, but is it Tayyib? Does it nourish us, maintain good health and wellness, and keep us fit and alert so that we can fulfill our obligations to Allah in the best way? Of course not.</p>
<p>In contrast, the emphasis on organic and natural foods is a step in the right direction, and one that is in line with Islamic recommendations of consuming that which is clean, good, and natural. With fewer or no antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, and other chemicals, organics offer us a way to consume our food in line with principles of Halal and Tayyib.</p>
<p>But it doesn’t stop there. We should consider, as the above-mentioned Hadith makes clear, how much we are consuming. A doctor visiting Madinah around the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was amazed at the lack of illness in the city. He discovered that the key to their good health lay in eating less overall as a lifestyle choice.</p>
<p>In this regard, eating less meat needs to be mentioned as well. Although consuming it is not forbidden, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, subsisted on a diet that included meat rarely. This practice is more beneficial for our health, since meat is often raised today in ways that range from questionable to ghastly. Whether it is the torturous practices found on factory farms, where animals are mistreated, to the kinds of hormones and antibiotics they are injected with while being raised, eating meat is not without long-term health repercussions. What animals are fed eventually ends up in our bodies as well, even if we consume meat that is strictly Zabiha.</p>
<p>For those that don’t consume Zabiha meat the dangers are greater, since the meat found in many supermarkets mix a certain percentage of pork with their meat even if the label says 100% beef. See the following report based on the <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/content/do-you-know-whats-your-plate" target="_blank">Lea Thompson’s NBC Dateline investigation</a>. She is a Peabody Award and Emmy Award winning journalist:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some supermarkets even adulterate food in order to make extra profit. Dateline NBC conducted an investigation in 1998 to determine if what was being sold as pure ground beef was really that. They submitted 100 samples from different stores to an USDA recognized lab with 29 of those samples testing positive for meats other than ground beef. Even health food stores like Fresh Fields and Wild Oats sold adulterated ground beef.</p>
<p>Dateline reconducted this study in 1999 and again testing 100 stores, including the 29 that were guilty of adulteration previously. The 29 stores passed the test this time and 7 other stores tested positive for adulteration. The ground beef at a Market Basket in Boston contained approximately 24 percent pork and a Butera store in Chicago had approximately 36 percent pork in supposedly 100 percent pure ground beef.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Safety of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/us/31meat.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">beef processing</a> methods is questioned regularly as well.</p>
<p>As well, producing meat has negative effects on the environment, since it requires more resources than growing plants does. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that, yearly, an area of the world’s rainforests larger than the state of New York is destroyed to create grazing land for cattle.</p>
<p>Halal and healthy is part of Sharia, the Islamic way of life. It reflects balance, moderation, clean living, all with the aim of pleasing God and maintaining optimum health.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Afghan Kebab" by ANBI - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afghan_Kebab.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Afghan_Kebab.jpg</p>
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the sharia (the halal and haram) of being healthy and the food we consume. </div>
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:14:48 +0000admin1497 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/the-sharia-of-halal-and-healthy#commentsHalal and haram food in the Quran and Hadithhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/halal-and-haram-food-in-the-quran-and-hadith
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<a href="/article/halal-and-haram-food-in-the-quran-and-hadith"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Halal_003b.jpg?itok=fT-Z1YQt" width="576" height="324" alt="Chicken Tikka" /></a> </div>
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<h2><strong>Translated verses of the Quran&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship” (2:172).<br />
<br />
“He hath forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swineflesh, and that which hath been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah. But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (2:173).<br />
<br />
“O ye who believe! Fulfill your undertakings.The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you (for food) except that which is announced unto you (herein), game being unlawful when ye are on pilgrimage. Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him” (5:1)<br />
<br />
“Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swine-flesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols.<br />
<br />
"And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you and have chosen for you as religion Al-Islam. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (5:3)<br />
<br />
“They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: (all) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account” (5:4)<br />
<br />
“This day are (all) good things made lawful for you. The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you (lawful for you) when ye give them their marriage portions and liven with them in honour, not in fornication, nor taking them as secret concubines. Whoso denieth the faith, his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter” (5:5).<br />
<br />
“And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned, for lo! it is abomination. Lo! the devils do inspire their minions to dispute with you. But if ye obey them, ye will be in truth idolaters” (6:121).</p>
<h2><strong>From the Hadith&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>-On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Faithful to do that which He commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: “O ye Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right..” (Quran 23:51). And Allah the Almighty has said: “O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you..” (2:172). Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: O Lord! O Lord!-while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!” (Muslim).<br />
<br />
-On the authority of Abu Ya'la Shahddad ibn Aus, the Messenger of Allah said: “Verily Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters” (Muslim).<br />
<br />
-In an incident narrated by Rafi' bin Khadij, the Prophet told Muslims who wanted to slaughter some animals using reeds, “Use whatever causes blood to flow, and eat the animals if the Name of Allah has been mentioned on slaughtering them...” (Bukhari).<br />
<br />
-Narrated Abu Thalaba: Allah's Messenger forbade the eating of the meat of beasts having fangs (Bukhari).<br />
<br />
-Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal (i.e. cut its limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive (Bukhari).</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Chicken Tikka" by Umair Mohsin from Karachi, Pakistan - Chicken Tikka. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicken_Tikka.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Chicken_Tikka.jpg">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicken_Tikka.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Chicken_Tikka.jpg</a></p>
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information about lawful and unlawful foods according to islam, based on the quran and traditions of the prophet mohamed (peace and blessings be upon </div>
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:58:08 +0000admin1465 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/halal-and-haram-food-in-the-quran-and-hadith#commentsSeven ways you can save the planethttps://www.soundvision.com/article/seven-ways-you-can-save-the-planet
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<a href="/article/seven-ways-you-can-save-the-planet"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Environmentalism_004b.jpg?itok=YOZbFxEL" width="576" height="324" alt="" /></a> </div>
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<a href="/authors/shehnaz-toorawa" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Shehnaz Toorawa</a> </div>
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<p>Pophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "The world is green and beautiful and God has appointed you as His stewards over it. He sees how you acquit yourselves..." (Muslim).</p>
<p>Allah tells us in numerous verses of the Quran, that He has created everything on earth- animals, rain, plants, oceans, stars, the sun, the moon- for the benefit of humans. With these favors comes the role of Khalifah, or guardianship. The Quran tells us,“He it is Who has placed you as viceroys of the earth and has exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He has given you” (6:165).</p>
<p>Today the planet is in a mess. Deforestation, desertification, water pollution, air pollution, soil erosion, extinction of species and the dwindling of resources indicate that humans are not fulfilling their role of Khalifah adequately. What can we do to fulfill our responsibility to protect the earth? Here are seven small, but effective steps each of us can take to begin the process:</p>
<h3><strong>1. Buy less, consume less, waste less</strong></h3>
<p>On average, an individual in a developed nation consumes twice as much grain, twice as much fish, three times as much meat, nine times as much paper, and eleven times as much gasoline as an individual in a developing nation.</p>
<p>Yet, shopping malls, TV commercials, fliers, billboards, and the fashion industry continually tell us we don’t have enough and we need to buy more. The 12 percent of the world’s population that lives in North America and Western Europe accounts for 60 percent of the world’s private consumption spending.&nbsp;The Quran correctly describes our materialistic society in the verse, “The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things) until you visit the graves”(102:1-2).</p>
<p>While North Americans squander wealth and waste it in luxuries, 825 million people in the world are undernourished, 2.4 billion live without basic sanitation, and one billion lack adequate shelter.&nbsp;Destruction of forests, desertification of grasslands, water pollution, depletion of fossil fuels, and the collapse of fisheries around the world warn us that the world’s resources are limited—certainly not enough to support the lifestyle habits of an average North American.&nbsp; In the Quran, God warns us not to take more than our share of the world’s resources:</p>
<p>“…Do not squander (your wealth) wastefully. Surely the squanderers are the fellows of the Devils”(17:26).</p>
<p>In a world of limited resources, we have an obligation to resist consumer culture and squelch the urge to buy, consume, and eventually waste. The words of the Prophet are a beautiful example of how to live:</p>
<p>&nbsp;“Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveler along a path” (Bukhari).</p>
<p>“The best livelihood is the bare minimum” (Ahmad).</p>
<p>The Quran reminds us that we will be accountable for every item we own and resource we use:</p>
<p>“Then (on the Day of Judgment) you will certainly be questioned about all the favors you enjoyed”(102:8).</p>
<p>Next time you’re in line at the cash register, ask yourself if you really need what you’re buying or if you can live without it.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Reduce your shower time to five minutes</strong></h3>
<p>The Prophet said, “Excess in the use of water is forbidden, even if you have the resources of a whole river” (Tirmidhi).</p>
<p>Ever noticed how long you spend in the shower? A five-minute shower consumes 100 liters of water.&nbsp;That may not sound like much, but consider that less than one half of one percent of all water on earth is fresh water for human use. The rest is sea water or frozen in polar ice caps.&nbsp;Every person on earth has a share in this water, yet 20% of the world’s population already lacks access to an adequate supply of clean drinking water.&nbsp;While the average Canadian uses 335 liters of water per day, the average sub-Saharan African survives on 10-20 liters per day.&nbsp;The Prophet would perform Ghusl, a complete bath, with one Sa’of water—that’s just 1.6 liters. In a world where water scarcity and pollution are increasing, every drop counts.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Buy locally grown food, without the packaging</strong></h3>
<p>Where does the food you eat come from? The local farm or a land far away? In the United States, the average food item travels 2,500to 4,000 kilometers.&nbsp;The farther food travels before it reaches your plate, the less money the rural farmer retains. Multinational corporations that haul, package and process the food collect a larger portion of the profit.</p>
<p>The farther food travels, the more energy it consumes for pesticides, preservatives, ripening, packaging, processing, transportation and sales. Eating local food results in a healthier diet, more equitable profit distribution, less energy consumption and less environmental pollution.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Use public transportation or walk more often</strong></h3>
<p>Cars not only guzzle the world’s dwindling supply of fossil fuels, but the burning of those fuels contributes to urban smog, acid rain, and other air quality problems. Cars produce large volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The average car produces about 2.4 kilograms of CO2 for every liter of gasoline‚ or three to four times its own weight in CO2 every year.&nbsp;This means more air pollution, more extreme weather and storms, more water contamination and more diseases.</p>
<p>Public transit, cycling or walking are simple ways to reduce energy consumption, improve air quality and lead a healthier lifestyle. If you normally drive to work, take public transportation once a week for a refreshing change.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Install energy-saving bulbs and appliances in your home</strong></h3>
<p>North Americans consume 30% of the world’s energy—an amount similar to that consumed collectively by all developing countries, holding more than 80% of the world’s population.&nbsp; While we may flick the light switch without a second thought, 2 billion people in the world lack access to electricity or other modern energy supplies.</p>
<p>While it may be impossible for North Americans to forego the luxuries of electricity, heat, stoves, dishwashers and microwaves, we can reduce our energy consumption through efficiency. Europeans have done it, although they lead a similar lifestyle. People in the United States and Canada consume 2.4 times as much energy at home as those in Western Europe.&nbsp;Home appliances are the world’s fastest-growing energy consumers after automobiles, accounting for 30 percent of industrial countries’electricity consumption.&nbsp;The good news is that energy-efficient lighting and appliances have become common in the North American market. Making your home energy-efficient is an easy and effective way to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing convenience.</p>
<h3><strong>6. Eat more vegetables</strong></h3>
<p>Vegetables capture energy for growth directly from a renewable source, the sun, while meat production in industrial countries requires a high input of non-renewable fossil fuel energy. When farmers raise animals on a pasture, they require little grain, consume little energy and their manure becomes valuable agricultural fertilizer. Today, in most industrial nations, rather than being pasture-fed, corporations raise animals in factory farms that consume huge quantities of grain, water, hormones, and electricity and produce tons of toxic waste. Producing one calorie of beef or poultry requires 11to 17 calories of feed.&nbsp;Producing eight ounces of beef requires 25,000 liters of water.&nbsp;This means that a diet high in grain-fed meat requires two to four times more land than a vegetarian diet.</p>
<p>Health is another issue to consider. The crowded conditions of factory farms along with an absence of waste recycling make livestock easy targets for disease.</p>
<p>The Prophet allowed us to eat meat and, like all other foods, meat is one of Allah’s favors that He permits us to enjoy. However, we need to apply the principle of moderation, a key aspect of the Prophet’s lifestyle, in our diet. Eating more vegetables, without abandoning meat, can make a significant difference in the amount of natural resources each of us consumes. Next time you bite into that steak, think of the energy that went into producing it.</p>
<h3><strong>7. Recycle and compost</strong></h3>
<p>When we use recycled materials along with recycling and composting our household waste, we significantly reduce our energy consumption and waste production. Producing aluminum from recycled material, for example, requires 95 percent less energy than manufacturing it from raw materials.&nbsp;Keep in mind that having a recycling box or a compost bin doesn’t justify consuming more and wasting more. Reducing consumption is still the best way to reduce our impact on the environment.</p>
<h2><strong>Where do you Stand? Calculate Your Ecological Footprint</strong></h2>
<p>The ecological footprint is a tool that assesses the environmental impact of an individual, a region or an activity. Your ecological footprint indicates the amount of biologically productive land area required to support your lifestyle based on the amount of resources you use and the amount of wastes you produce. Calculations show that the planet has available 1.9 hectares of biologically productive land per person to supply resources and absorb wastes—yet the average person on earth already uses 2.3 hectares worth. These “ecological footprints” range from 9.7 hectares claimed by the average American to 0.47 hectares used by the average Mozambican.Calculate your ecological footprint and discover your impact on the planet at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.redefiningprogress.org/" style="color: rgb(32, 64, 153); text-decoration: none;">http://www.redefiningprogress.org/</a>. The results may shock you!</p>
<p>======================</p>
<p><em>Shehnaz Toorawa is</em>&nbsp;a freelance writer living in Mississauga, Canada. She is a teacher with degrees in education, geography and professional writing from the University of Toronto. She also holds a degree in Islamic Studies from the American Open University. &nbsp;Shehnaz is an active homeschooling mother.</p>
<p>Photo Attribution: "Bombeta de Llum". Licensed under GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombeta_de_Llum.JPG#mediaviewer/File:Bombeta_de_Llum.JPG</p>
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Here are seven small, but effective steps each of us can take to begin the process of saving the planet </div>
Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:15:33 +0000admin1298 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/seven-ways-you-can-save-the-planet#commentsTurn off that stove! https://www.soundvision.com/article/turn-off-that-stove
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<a href="/article/turn-off-that-stove"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Ramadan_003b.jpg?itok=4uQHIpWT" width="576" height="324" alt="" /></a> </div>
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<a href="/authors/samana-siddiqui" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Samana Siddiqui</a> </div>
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<p>If you're in charge of cooking in your household, and it's usually women around the world who are, then you can feel like most of your Ramadan is spent over a hot stove instead of on a prayer mat.</p>
<p>I was once complaining to a friend of mine about how so many Muslim women seem to miss the blessings of Ramadan because of the overemphasis on great food at Iftar time. While I attributed this to a lack of consideration for the needs of women, my friend shared an interesting story.</p>
<p>She was originally from Egypt, and she recounted how her mother and the women in her neighborhood actually <em>competed</em> with each other in Ramadan over food. In other words, they vied for the title of "maker of the best Ka'k (cookies) this side of Alexandria." And this was despite the fact that male family members and even the Imam were encouraging women to share in the blessings of the month through prayer and mosque participation.</p>
<p>This Ramadan, let's remove our inner and outer obstacles to spiritual success.</p>
<p>At the inner level, let's start by ditching any feelings of guilt, competition or jealousy we may have for other sisters. You know who I'm talking about: the ones who can whip up a five-course Iftar <em>plus </em>dinner faster than you can say "what should I make for supper tonight?"The ones who can hold a full-time job, ferry their kids to extra-curricular activities and <em>still </em>hold grand Iftar parties at their homes.</p>
<p>Now we're ready to do something about the biggest outer obstacle to spiritual success every Ramadan: our families. We love them and yes, their demands for food high in fat, salt and sugar can be indulged once in a while in Ramadan. But doing this every Iftar seems to defeat the purpose of fasting in the first place. Remember, it's about self-control, even after we're allowed to eat.</p>
<h2><strong>An eight-step Ramadan plan for sisters</strong></h2>
<p>Here is a plan to help you gain more time in Ramadan for spiritual success:</p>
<ol>
<li>Call a family meeting-today. We've got barely a week until Ramadan begins. Choose a day and time when everyone can be present.</li>
<li>Serve a sample Iftar menu at the meeting (I'll explain why in point 3)</li>
<li>Start off the meeting with the food. Then once everyone is comfortable, explain very kindly that you will only be making this food five times this Ramadan: once a week and once when guests are invited over.</li>
<li>When the news has sunk in, explain further to your family that you would like Ramadan to be a time for becoming closer to Allah. You cannot do this if you have to spend most of your time cooking and cleaning up after everyone. Be firm but polite.</li>
<li>Discuss the Ramadan meal plan. Ask everyone to share what kind of dishes they would like to eat that are healthy.</li>
<li>Once all the ideas are in, establish a cooking and cleaning schedule so that everyone pitches in. Explain that while you will still be doing the main cooking, other family members will have to help either with pre-Iftar arrangements (setting table, calling everyone, etc.) or post-Iftar ones (washing dishes/loading dishwasher, wiping counters, sweeping, etc.).&nbsp;</li>
<li>Enforce the schedule by rewarding children. For younger kids, a chore chart with a sticker for each day of help offered could work, as well as a small toy or gift at the end of every successful two-week period. For older kids, you could promise to spend a whole day with them doing something they enjoy after Ramadan or extend a privilege they have (e.g. access to the car if they drive).</li>
<li>For husbands, express your appreciation verbally by saying thank you and explaining how the extra help is a real spiritual boost.</li>
</ol>
<p>If this plan is successfully implemented, you can extend it to the rest of the year, thereby gaining more time to focus on your spiritual needs. But even if you get more time on your prayer mat than over your stove just one month out of the year, the one where our good deeds count for more, it'll be worth the effort.</p>
<p>So go ahead. Turn off that stove and call that meeting!</p>
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a guide for muslims to focus on sprituality instead of cooking during the month of ramadan </div>
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:27:18 +0000admin2329 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/turn-off-that-stove#comments8 tips on sharing Ramadan with your neighborshttps://www.soundvision.com/article/8-tips-on-sharing-ramadan-with-your-neighbors
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<a href="/article/8-tips-on-sharing-ramadan-with-your-neighbors"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.soundvision.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Ramadan_009b.jpg?itok=DVmDko_S" width="576" height="324" alt="" /></a> </div>
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<a href="/authors/samana-siddiqui" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Samana Siddiqui</a> </div>
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<p>Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: Mujahid said that Abdullah ibn Amr slaughtered a sheep and said: Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbor, the Jew, for I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Gabriel kept on commending the neighbor to me so that I thought he would make an heir? (Abu Dawud).</p>
<p>The Prophet Muhammad said: "He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side" (Baihaqi).</p>
<p>"By Allah, he has no faith (the Prophet repeated it three times) whose neighbors are not safe from his wickedness" (Bukhari).</p>
<p>*****</p>
<p>Ramadan is a great opportunity to share Islam and more specifically, its values of spirituality, generosity and kindness with others, especially your neighbors.</p>
<p>Here are some ideas on how you can share the joy with your neighbors this Ramadan.</p>
<h3>1. Begin with Dua</h3>
<p>Make Dua that Allah give you and your family the sincerity, strength, motivation and wisdom to do this. Dawa is hard work, and it needs preparation, commitment and organization.</p>
<h3>2. Put up a Ramadan banner on your door</h3>
<p>This can be something handmade or something more formal.</p>
<p>But don't stop there. Print out a factsheet on Ramadan and stick that on the door to educate readers passing by about the blessed month and what it means to Muslims.</p>
<h3>3. Send neighbors Iftar snacks</h3>
<p>Include a note with the food that the month of Ramadan is here and you are sharing your joy with them.</p>
<p>You can offer snacks that are not just "American" but also "ethnic" (i.e. African, Middle Eastern, Indo-Pakistani, etc.). You can include index cards with the snacks listing all of the ingredients. This will help neighbors avoid food that causes allergies.</p>
<h3>4. Give kids Ramadan Mubarak balloons and candy</h3>
<p>Let your neighbors' kids also feel the happiness of Ramadan by including chocolate and candy among your snacks. Balloons also add a nice touch, and if you can get some printed which have "Ramadan Mubarak" written on them, they may remember the blessed month even after it has passed.</p>
<h3>5. Publish Ramadan information in your neighborhood newsletter</h3>
<p>If you are part of a tenants' association, a group within your housing complex or your neighborhood block parents' association and they publish a newsletter, inform them about Ramadan and prepare a short write-up about the month. This is a great way of informing many more neighbors about Ramadan.</p>
<h3>6. Have a neighborhood Iftar gathering</h3>
<p>You don't have to invite everyone. Perhaps just the closest neighbors can attend this event. Send handmade invitations for an "Iftar gathering" at most a week in advance (avoid the word "party" as it may be misunderstood to mean a gathering including alcohol, loud music, etc.).</p>
<p>Ask about allergies or other food issues before establishing the menu. Include American and "ethnic" food.</p>
<p>Be sure to invite Muslim family and friends who are comfortable interacting with non-Muslims to this event, and brief them about how they should properly share Ramadan with the neighbors.</p>
<p>Also, have some written material on Ramadan available for your guests. You can print out this factsheet and put it on some fancy paper to add to the festive air of the evening.</p>
<h4>At the gathering:</h4>
<p>Be cordial, generous and friendly, but maintain Islamic rules of behavior and modesty. This should not be a "party" in the common understanding, but more of a religious celebration that is spiritual and respectful to all.</p>
<p>Don't impose information. Just let non-Muslim guests ask questions, if they want to. As well, be ready for questions about Islam and violence/terrorism, the oppression of women, etc. Give neighbors the benefit of the doubt and clarify their misunderstanding in a calm, gentle manner.</p>
<h3>7. Get your kids on it</h3>
<p>Tell your kids to inform other neighbors' kids what Ramadan is all about and have the children invite their classmates to your Iftar gatherings.</p>
<h3>8. Talk about what Ramadan means to you</h3>
<p>What’s it like to fast? How do you work/go to school and still fast? These are some questions you may be asked. Don’t just point your guests to the pamphlets. Tell them and use some personal examples they can relate to.</p>
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a list of ideas on how to share the islamic month of fasting called ramadan with non-muslim neighbors. </div>
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:27:17 +0000admin2308 at https://www.soundvision.comhttps://www.soundvision.com/article/8-tips-on-sharing-ramadan-with-your-neighbors#comments